Letters: On parade name flap, trash fees and more

Debate over ‘Christmas’ events

After reading “Festival won’t remove ‘Christmas’ from name” (Local, Dec. 4) about the upcoming 53rd La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival, I believe the word “Christmas” should be removed. The La Jolla Town Council’s remarks in the article are self-serving, arrogant and ridiculous. For example:

“Christmas is something that everyone celebrates one way or another.” Wrong.

“As a kid, I never asked Santa Claus what his religion was, I just wanted presents.” Ridiculous.

Ann Kerr Bache, parade committee chair, says, “It takes away from the kids’ enjoyment to have ‘controversy’ when it’s not a controversy at all.” Wrong and ridiculous.

Children can be better served by being taught that we live in a diverse community. We should celebrate our differences and respect the values of others. Renaming the parade “The Holiday Parade and Festival” is far more inclusive and responsible.

Deena Birnbaum

Scripps Ranch

It’s very sad that Deborah Hertz, a chairwoman in modern Jewish studies at UC San Diego, feels that Jews are “excluded” every year when Christians hold a festival in La Jolla. Nobody likes to be excluded.

Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land feel excluded because Israel’s government imposes restrictions on their places of worship. Bethlehem is virtually surrounded by the wall Israel is building “for security reasons” throughout the occupied Palestinian territories. Christians who live in the Holy Land are Palestinians, and Christians and Muslims suffer together under Israel’s occupation. One wonders what Hertz teaches her students at UCSD about Israel’s wall.

The Rev. Roy Hayes

Retired Episcopal priest

San Diego

San Diego trash pickup idea faulted

Regarding “Sanders wants free trash pickup reduced” (Local, Dec. 6): Garbage pickup is currently being funded by property taxes and sales taxes. Arbitrarily asking people living in gated communities to pay fees while excusing all others is selective taxation.

Voters rejected Proposition D because they are tired of funding the outrageous pay and retirement benefits for overpaid city workers. Any city deficit is a result of concessions made to unions and the failure to correct this fundamental problem. If the city cannot afford to pay the employees within the budget, then reduce salaries or furlough employees.

People living in gated communities are already relieving the city of the cost of maintaining their streets and street lighting. Consequently, they are already subsidizing other homeowners. Asking them to do more is absurd.

Jerry Brown

Scripps Ranch

I just got back from mailing the first installment of my San Diego property taxes to Dan McAllister, the county tax collector. So much for “free trash collection.”

Dave Klipfel

University City

Combat readiness facing threat

In response to “Top generals break ranks with Pentagon on gay rights” (Dec. 4), that Marine Corps commandant Gen. James Amos and Army Gen. George Casey say to repeal the ban on “don’t ask, don’t tell” would be dangerous for our troops is an understatement. The military is not a democracy and taking polls is flawed because those military members being polled are still afraid that their responses will become known by their superiors. The military is not operated by consensus. The primary mission of the Marine Corps, Navy and Army is, utmost and foremost, combat readiness. That means to “win” the battle or effort posed.